(This is an updated version of the blog that was published last weekend. Updated closures were added on Wednesday morning).
Look out south side, this week’s commute is going to be something.
- The left two lanes of northbound I-65 – from Southport Rd. to the south split – will close from Wednesday night at 9pm and reopen Thursday morning at 6am.
- The left two lanes of northbound I-65 – from Southport Rd. to the south split – will close from Thursday night at 9pm and reopen Friday morning at 6am.
- ALL LANES of northbound I-65 – from I-465 to the south split – will close Friday morning at 9am and reopen Monday morning at 6am.
- The left two lanes of northbound I-65 – from Southport Rd. to I-465 – will close Friday night at 9pm and reopen Monday morning at 6am. The on ramp from Southport Rd. to northbound I-65 will also be closed during this time.
Wha What?
HERE’S THE DEAL…
In order to patch up I-65 and I-70 after another rocky winter, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will close whole sections of I-65 and I-70 every weekend from now until August.
- Closures on northbound lanes will begin on Friday at 9am and reopen the following Monday at 6am.
- Closures on southbound lanes will begin on Friday at 7pm and reopen.
During this time, the side of I-65 or I-70 that’s being worked on will be completely closed, as in all lanes. When all work is complete, I-65 will be fixed from Southport Rd. to the north split, and I-70 will be fixed from Harding St. to the south split. INDOT is dividing up the work zones into four sections, as demonstrated in this map:
(Photo Credit: INDOT)
This weekend (4/27 – 4/29), the target area will be northbound I-65 from Southport Rd. to the south split. HOWEVER, special overnight maintenance is necessary during the work week to prep for the weekend closure, meaning the left two lanes of northbound I-65 will close from Southport Rd. to the south split beginning Wednesday at 9pm and ending Thursday at 6am.
Then, the left two lanes of northbound I-65 will close from Southport Rd. to the south split beginning Thursday at 9pm and ending Friday at 6am.
The full closure will take place over the weekend, beginning on Friday at 9am (see above).
THERE WILL BE TRAFFIC
Friday morning’s post-commute will be a mess, with Southport drivers crawling up northbound I-65 in the far right lane, and then rerouting once they hit I-465. This is especially problematic for drivers attending the NRA Annual Meeting at the Indiana Convention Center. The get together brings in over 75,000 people to downtown. Plus, President Trump and Vice President Pence are scheduled to speak at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum, held between 11am and 4pm.
That’s quite a window for a motorcade.
And speaking of, Secret Service isn’t exactly loose lipped when it comes to details of a motorcade. When the VP came in last month, I tried to confirm what time he was touching down. Not the motorcade route or anything traffic related, just a general arrival time.
Nada. We’re on our own.
What I’m getting at, is inbound traffic from the south side could be nightmarish. Be sure to think ahead if you’re planning on mingling downtown, as in know your reroute.
REROUTES
Here’s what INDOT recommends:
If you’re coming from the south side, it’s suggested you peel off on westbound I-465. Grab eastbound I-70 to hit the West St. or Meridian St/Illinois ramps and into downtown. You can also take westbound I-465 to U.S. 31 and hop off, or just take U.S. 31 or S.R. 135/ S. Meridian all the way into downtown:
Also, those who live on the southeast side – say Franklin Township – might want to bump in on Southeastern.
NEED HELP?
If you are confused or have a question, hit me up on Twitter @WIBCTraffic or @MattInTraffic, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I humanly can. If you haven’t been baptized into our traffic community, it’s a great way to share traffic tips, and vent about potholes, infrastructure, construction, whatever.
Feel free to join up – just follow either handle. We’d love to have you.
Until then, good luck and stay safe.
#I65Sucks
Matt Bair is the new voice of Indianapolis traffic, and can be followed on Twitter @WIBCTraffic. Tips? Call direct at (317) 684-8134 or the 93 WIBC Newsroom at (317) 637-6397.
